Static posturography analysis for postural instability in patients with Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is initially characterized by a rigid-akinetic syndrome and later by the development of postural instability. This condition often leads to balance impairments, potentially resulting in postural deformities and foot asymmetry. This study aimed to assess balance changes in PD patients.

We evaluated 56 PD patients and 30 controls using static posturography. The variables examined included foot type, the primary region of body weight distribution on the plantar surface, statokinesigram (center of pressure [COP]), and stabilogram (COP in the X- and Y-axes).

PD patients exhibited a high prevalence of pes cavus (92.8%) (p < 0.001) and greater weight distribution toward the hindfoot. In all assessments, COP sway areas were significantly larger in PD patients (p < 0.001). The total COP area increased in the non-fall group during the foot parallel assessment and in the X-axis in the fall group with eyes open (p = 0.046) and closed (p = 0.023). Significant correlations between body weight discharge on the plantar area and COP sway were observed, particularly in the non-postural instability group in the COP X-axis with feet parallel and eyes open on the more rigid limb and in the postural instability group in the Y-axis with feet parallel and eyes open on the more rigid limb and with eyes closed bilaterally.

Progressive rigidity may disrupt compensatory mechanisms, altering foot morphology, shifting body weight discharge posteriorly, and increasing COP sway. This cascade of events results in impaired balance and an elevated risk of falls.